Page 64 of Tell Me No Lies

I've been interested to see how her idea of painting the entire room—ceiling, walls, and trim—the same color would flesh out, and she was right. It looks fucking fantastic. To be honest though, she could shit in her hand and smear it across everything and I would think it was perfect. As long as she's happy and has the home she wants.

A little more of me relaxes when she peeks into the master bathroom and discovers the finishing touches I’ve been ignoring have been finally completed. The room was probably the most complete room in the house, but it was still missing paint on the walls and the tile on the floor.

She sucks in a breath as she flips on the light. “Oh my gosh. I knew this was gonna look good when it was done.” She turns to me, eyes bright. “It is so pretty.”

When I first started working on this place, I'd planned to just have a shower, toilet, and sink in this bathroom, but Christian wouldn't fucking shut up about ‘buyer expectations’ and how kitchens and bathrooms sold houses because wives are who bought them. I wasn't so much worried about resale, but the wife part did catch my attention, so I followed his advice and added a soaking tub. And, based on the look on Piper's face, I owe him a beer.

Or two.

I go to the tub, running a hand around the inside to make sure it's as clean as it looks. I hired one of Christian’s friends to do the work, so I know they left the place cleaner than they found it, but I still want to be sure. Like I expect, there's not a speck of dust anywhere inside, making them well worth every penny I paid them.

It was a lot of fucking pennies, too. But all they were doing was sitting there staring at me. I finally realized all the money in the world wouldn't keep me from becoming my father.

I'm the only one who can do that.

I plug the drain and twist on the faucet, holding my hand under the stream to make sure the temperature’s right before straightening and turning to Piper. “Why don't you take a—”

She’s three steps ahead of me. Her hair’s already pulled up with the elastic that was around her wrist and she’s wrestling her shirt over her head while kicking off her shoe. Once her brace is off, Piper shuffles past me as she wiggles out of her jeans.

“I have some bubble bath down in the stuff they pulled out of my bathroom. Could you grab it for me?” She flashes me a grin. “I would totally get it myself, but I'm already wet.” She sloshes one foot into the water to keep her claim from being a lie.

Pinching her chin with my fingers, I lean in to steal a quick kiss. “I will get you anything you want, Sugar.” I push a loose bit of hair away from her face. “Whenever you want it.”

She rolls her eyes, but doesn't argue, and I relax a little more. Piper knows me well—maybe better than I know myself—so I wouldn't be surprised if she understands that, after what I've just learned, I need to take care of her.

I hurry down the stairs, going straight to the box marked bathroom. After flipping the top open I sift through the contents. There's a few different kinds of bubble bath, so I pick the one with the emptiest bottle, hoping that means it’s her favorite. I'm getting ready to turn when I see something else in the box. I stop long enough to collect a few more items before hustling back to the second floor, taking the steps two at a time.

I pause at the smaller room we’ll be sleeping in until Piper picks out the carpet she wants in our bedroom, dropping the additional items onto the floor beside the mattress before rejoining her in the bathroom where I pour a tablespoon of lavender scented gel directly under the faucet.

Piper lifts her toes out of the water as the bubbles begin to form. She gives me a seductive smile. “You should get in here with me.”

I lean down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Next time. I need to put fresh sheets and blankets on our bed.” I kiss her on the tip of her nose as she pouts at me, but I hold firm. “I'll be back in a few minutes.”

Leaving her to relax, I collect my spare sheets. It takes longer than it should for me to change the bedding, but I know sleeping on a mattress on the floor isn’t what any woman dreams of, so I want them to be as perfect as I can get them.

Once everything is in place, I go back into the bathroom and find Piper is already climbing out of the tub. Small bits of hair have fallen loose and cling to her flushed skin as she towels off. I'm a little surprised she's already out, but the pink of her body and cheeks makes me wonder if there's a reason. A reason that’s my fault. “Was the water too hot?”

She swipes at her damp brow. “I normally like it really hot.” She wraps the large towel around her body. “I think I'm still just feeling a little weird from all the driving.”

“You're probably exhausted.” I scoop her up because I don't want her walking barefoot across the subfloor since I haven't had the chance to make sure it's free of debris after the drywallers and painter did their job. Piper relaxes against me as I carry her out of our bedroom and into the spare, settling her onto the mattress. My clothes have also been moved from the closet in the master to this room, so I grab one of my T-shirts and pull it over her head, working the towel from under her as she wiggles the T-shirt down her body.

Once it's in place, she lets out a sigh. “That's better. I was really hot.”

I adjust the pillows behind her back, making sure they support her properly. “Lean back and relax. I'm going to get some ice for your ankle.”

She opens her mouth to argue, but seals her lips together and gives me a small nod.

That simple confirmation, that she understands where my head’s at, has me leaning in to steal her lips in a lingering kiss. When I pull away, her eyes are a little dazed and her mouth is slightly plumped. The sight steals my breath and maybe my common sense. Having her here, wearing my clothes, laying in my bed, letting me take care of her because she knows it's what I need, draws a confession from me. “I love you.”

I don't mean to say it, but I wouldn't take it back if I could.

All these years, I thought I wasn't getting what my brothers had because I didn't deserve it. Now I know the truth. I didn't have it because I hadn't found her yet. And she is worth every lonely night I endured.

Piper gives me a slow smile, her hand toying with the front of my T-shirt. “Does that mean I'm getting a raise?”

It’s not the response I expected. It's better, and has my head tipping back on a loud bark of laughter. No one but her could make me laugh so soon after all I just learned. That's why I need her in my life. She’s done what no one else could.

She's made me trust myself.

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